Better options to get to SJPP

[Stephan the Painter]

It always makes me wonder.

People are always appearing on this forum struggling to get from Pamplona to SJPP. But it's never mentioned that there are multiple trains and buses each day that go to San Sebastian from Pamplona (or Madrid) where you can catch another bus to Bayonne and then a train on to SJPP

Even better, why not just recommend to people to take a train or plane direct to San Sebastian from Madrid, and skip Pamplona.

I guess it is more changes, but it solves the scheduling problems and possibly having to pay for a taxi or spend the night in Pamplona just to wait for a bus. And it runs all winter.

You may have to spend a few minutes sorting out all the complicated options it gives you on the google map directions below, but when I did it in 2024, I caught a direct bus to Bayonne from san Sebastian that took about an hour and then got on a train to SJPP. And it runs multiple times a day.

Donostia-San Sebastian to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

www.google.com

 

[Anhalter]

Agreed, the Donostia option seems to be largely ignored. There seems to be a comparable amount of flights from Madrid to both Pamplona and Donostia, while at the later you can pretty much walk (or Bus or Taxi) from the airport to the (Hendaye) trainstation and hop on a train to Bayonne, change there and get to Saint Jean multiple times a day, where as in Pamplona you can only hope to catch that one single bus.
But i can also understand that at first it does look more complicated...

 

[K_Lynn]

I flew into Biarritz/Bayonne and caught a shared taxi to SJPdP. It was the simplest option for me.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I flew into Biarritz/Bayonne and caught a shared taxi to SJPdP. It was the simplest option for me.

True, even easier. Anything that skips Pamplona seems to simplify matters.

But it seems the most common travel plans involve flying in into Madrid and then making their way by ground transportation to Pamplona and then SJPP.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

But i can also understand that at first it does look more complicated...

I think there’s tradition involved with Pamplona. It’s just what people have usually done, so we stick to it!

 

[Pafayac]

Even better, why not just recommend to people to take a train or plane direct to San Sebastian, where there's a bus every couple hours every day?

I doubt there is a bus from San Sebastian to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The google map you show tells about car travelling.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I doubt there is a bus from San Sebastian to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The google map you show tells about car travelling.

Sorry if that was not clear. You take a bus to Bayonne and then a train to SJPP.

When I click it it shows me bus travel, but they give you an option near the top for car, public transportation, or walking, which you might have to change.

Here it is on Rome to Rio.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/San-Se...m=referral&utm_content=segment#r/Bus/s/0[/URL

 

[stewinyvr]

I elected to fly into Paris, and then it is two easy trains to SJPDP, with a reasonable amount of choice..unless flying into Madrid is a significant price saving, this could be an option..

 

[trecile]

Even better, why not just recommend to people to take a train or plane direct to San Sebastian, where there's a bus every couple hours every day?

You take a bus or train to Bayonne or Biarritz, then a bus or train to St Jean Pied de Port. There's no direct bus from San Sebastián to SJPdP.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

You take a bus or train to Bayonne or Biarritz, then a bus or train to St Jean Pied de Port. There's no direct bus from San Sebastián to SJPdP.

I meant that there was multiple buses each day from San Sebastian to Bayonne to get the train to SJPP.

I’ll try to change my OP for clarity.

 

[J Willhaus]

Any way you cut it, it just isn't that easy or fast to get to SJPDP. We will probably never start there again. Did it our first Camino and the views were pretty, but it is easier to get to Somport or Roncesvalles or just Pamplona. In hindsight, it wasn't that special for me.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Any way you cut it, it just isn't that easy or fast to get to SJPDP. We will probably never start there again. Did it our first Camino and the views were pretty, but it is easier to get to Somport or Roncesvalles or just Pamplona. In hindsight, it wasn't that special for me.

Agreed, its just tradition. And perhaps the romance of the walking over the Pyrenees…

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Anyway, my imagined audience for this idea is all those pilgrims who fly through Madrid and end up in Pamplona and are unhappy that they have to wait overnight or get a cab. And those who are on a tight schedule.

A simple itinerary change from Pamplona to San Sebastian might make it easier. And it makes it much easier to get to SJPP early enough to leave ( spend the night in San Sebastian or Bayonne). Or if you arrive early enough in the day in Madrid you could conceivably be in SJPP that night.

From Paris, it’s a totally different itinerary, perhaps better. But it seems unless you fly into Biarritz, many people have to overnight in Paris before getting the train.

 

[stewinyvr]

Anyway, my imagined audience for this idea is all those pilgrims who fly through Madrid and end up in Pamplona and are unhappy that they have to wait overnight or get a cab. And those who are on a tight schedule.

A simple itinerary change from Pamplona to San Sebastian might make it easier. And it makes it much easier to get to SJPP early enough to leave ( spend the night in San Sebastian or Bayonne). Or if you arrive early enough in the day in Madrid you could conceivably be in SJPP that night.

From Paris, it’s a totally different itinerary, perhaps better. But it seems unless you fly into Biarritz, many people have to overnight in Paris before getting the train.

The overnight is possible, for those flying from the west coast of North America, many of the flights arrive early in the morning Paris time, which gives a decent selection of trains..This is the route I chose this year..I only mentioned it as an option in case people had not considered it.

 

[trecile]

A simple itinerary change from Pamplona to San Sebastian might make it easier.

An itinerary change to Biarritz would be even easier, but cost could be a deterrent for many.

The overnight is possible, for those flying from the west coast of North America, many of the flights arrive early in the morning Paris time, which gives a decent selection of trains.

I prefer flying through Paris and taking the train from there, though I like spending a several nights in Paris first.

But as @J Willhaus said:

Any way you cut it, it just isn't that easy or fast to get to SJPDP.

 

[Tincatinker]

I’ll remain puzzled by the lemming like determination to get to StJdP from wherever on the planet and at whatever expense.

Of course you can save money on your flight which will leave room in your budget for a ridiculously expensive taxi ride or a convoluted public transport adventure that will eventually get you to a small provincial French town in the foothills of the Pyrenees: but why. Why?

There is no easy way to get to StJdP for most trans-Atlantic or trans-global travelers. There aren’t many easy ways to get to StJdP for most Europeans or those of us who live in isolation just off the coast. The sheer determination expressed by those that make it deserves admiration. Perhaps the Pilgrims Office will eventually issue Compostela to those who made it to the “start”. Nonetheless, for a pilgrim to the shrine of Santiago your journey starts when you set foot in Spain. Scuttling in the opposite direction, sprinting away from Santiago just so you can heave your way back to somewhere you were days ago?

It’s no wonder that sometimes when I kneel before that splendid casket I can hear the old boy’s forehead smacking against the lid

 

[J Willhaus]

I always sleep when I arrive, whether going through either Paris or Madrid
As a younger person I would just power through with the "I'll sleep when I'm dead" mindset. Not any more though.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I guess I'm old school. I still do the Pamplona -> SJPdP thing. I probably arrive in Pamplona via either Madrid or Santiago (More likely)... The taxi ride up and down the hill isn't all that expensive IF I can split the costs among several walkers... Sadly, usually it costs me between 100 - 130 euros because I can't find anyone to share it with and I always feel a little sick about the cost. If I am doing Pamplona -> SJPdP I will spend the night in Pamplona, then venture out in the morning and FIND a taxi to take me to SJPdP. Now just finding the taxi is a bit of an adventure... but I walk to a "taxi stand" (searched for on google maps)... there are never taxis there... but... there is a sign with a phone number to call. 5 minutes later a taxi pulls up.

I just start walking as soon as I am dropped off... well, after getting a sello and some coffee.

I like the challenging hike over the Pyrenees. I don't like to spend the night in SJPdP.

 

[HBS60]

Good to know about these options, when I did my Camino I didn’t know any better. I did look into flying into Paris, but this was during the Olympics and the fares were astronomical, so Madrid made more sense to me, besides I’m a Spanish speaker so that would made it easier for me, and I didn’t mind the overnight in Pamplona…

…that being said, the bus ride from Pamplona to SJPDP was a nightmare for me because of the hairpin turns through those mountains causing me to have severe motion sickness. I got to SJPDP drenched in cold sweats and having dry heaves. I wish I had been aware of these other options, which brings up the question for me: are the train rides between San Sebastián, Bayonne, and SJPDP more linear (ie, few curves)? I would assume so because after all, this would be on trains, but I’m curious even if I take a bus from San Sebastián, would I get sick from too many curves?

Thankfully, I recovered from my nausea after 2-3 hours, and I spent 3 beautiful days at SJPDP, I’m glad I didn’t skip it. Other than the harrowing bus ride, it was a great start for my Camino. I loved the French/Basque language mass at the church, complete with the Pilgrim Blessing that although I didn’t understand a word, (just like there’s so much about life I don’t understand), felt very appropriate to begin my journey not understanding much, and finish it as Santiago understanding more.

But no more Alta bus Pamplona-SJPDPD ride for me. Never again.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Good to know about these options, when I did my Camino I didn’t know any better. I did look into flying into Paris, but this was during the Olympics and the fares were astronomical, so Madrid made more sense to me, besides I’m a Spanish speaker so that would made it easier for me, and I didn’t mind the overnight in Pamplona…

…that being said, the bus ride from Pamplona to SJPDP was a nightmare for me because of the hairpin turns through those mountains causing me to have severe motion sickness. I got to SJPDP drenched in cold sweats and having dry heaves. I wish I had been aware of these other options, which brings up the question for me: are the train rides between San Sebastián, Bayonne, and SJPDP more linear (ie, few curves)? I would assume so because after all, this would be on trains, but I’m curious even if I take a bus from San Sebastián, would I get sick from too many curves?

As I recall, you don’t go through mountains at all on that route.

When I took the bus from San Sebastian to Bayonne the bus route did not have any curves or elevation of note. Mostly flat highway.

When I went from Bayonne to SJPP the train was sold out, so they scheduled a bus, but that also had no curves or elevation of significance, (also as I recall). I could often see the train tracks, and it didn’t look like there was an issue there that might trigger your motion sickness.

I did drive the road through the Pyrenees from SJPP once, and that is quite an adventure!

 

[HBS60]

As I recall, you don’t go through mountains at all on that route.

When I took the bus from San Sebastian to Bayonne the bus route did not have any curves or elevation of note. Mostly flat highway.

When I went from Bayonne to SJPP the train was sold out, so they scheduled a bus, but that also had no curves or elevation of significance, (also as I recall). I could often see the train tracks, and it didn’t look like there was an issue there that might trigger your motion sickness.

I did drive the road through the Pyrenees from SJPP once, and that is quite an adventure!

Thanks! That’s reassuring!

 

[MARSKA]

Any way you cut it, it just isn't that easy or fast to get to SJPDP. We will probably never start there again. Did it our first Camino and the views were pretty, but it is easier to get to Somport or Roncesvalles or just Pamplona. In hindsight, it wasn't that special for me.

I agree- it isnt easy. But I had ONE beautiful walk over the mountains....

 

[Rover20]

Everyone has their own unique perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Pamplona and SJPP for a few days before taking an exhilarating albeit strenuous walk over the Pyrenees.

 

[InBiarritz]

Bear in mind that San Sebastián airport (EAS) is really far from the city centre (23km) it is actually in the town of Hondarribia on the border with France (he runway is on reclaimed land in the Bidasoa river which is effectively the frontier).

The buses that go from San Sebastian city to Biarritz/Bayonne do not stop at San Sebastian airport.

 

[BarbaraW]

For anyone coming from Paris who is time-short and not too jet-lagged (or just likes trains) there is the option of the overnight Intercite de Nuit train. Dep Paris 21.41 arr SJPdP 9.57. Two early morning train changes. Berths start at 29 Euros.

 

[DreamWeaver]

For me, Paris - Bayonne - SJPP is the most straightforward. There are frequent trains and buses between Paris and Bayonne everyday.

 

[wisepilgrim]

On my first visit to Pamplona in 2003 I arrived late and the Albergue was closed. A passing pamplonica invited me to sleep in their sofa and in the morning drove me to a very special point in the road which was the best spot for hitchhiking east.

I have done so every Camino since, and it has led to some dodgy but harmless circumstances.

But that isn’t what I came here to say. I came to say that it is even easier if you choose to start in Pamplona. Both Roncesvalles and SJPdP are modern fads as far as starting points go and it’s all a bit relative if you’ve flown in from outside of the peninsula.

Plus, historically speaking, the stretch from Roncesvalles to Larrasoaña is the single most dangerous stretch of the Camino where most pilgrims are robbed…. never mind the paperwork involved if you are on horseback.

So pick something convenient and take it on the arches. Perhaps this thinking is to credit for the surge in Camino Portugués pilgrims.

 

[CTLawGal]

Any way you cut it, it just isn't that easy or fast to get to SJPDP. We will probably never start there again. Did it our first Camino and the views were pretty, but it is easier to get to Somport or Roncesvalles or just Pamplona. In hindsight, it wasn't that special for me.

Sounds like you're saying, once you've seen it, you don't need to do it again from there? I haven't done the CF, but it's on my list. I will finish at SJPDP after the Podiensis this spring (and from there to Biarritz or Bayonne for a few days before departing from Paris), so now I wonder if when I do the CF should I start there to experience entering Spain from over the Pyrenees or just start somewhere else, lots of good options here, hmmmm

 

[Bradypus]

So pick something convenient and take it on the arches. Perhaps this thinking is to credit for the surge in Camino Portugués pilgrims.

In last year's Compostela stats a lot more people were recorded starting from Porto than from SJPDP and Roncesvalles combined. I've seen a lot of comment online which argues that easy international access to the Camino Portugues through Porto airport is a major driving factor in the rapid growth of the Camino Portugues variants.

 

[J Willhaus]

Sounds like you're saying, once you've seen it, you don't need to do it again from there? I haven't done the CF, but it's on my list. I will finish at SJPDP after the Podiensis this spring (and from there to Biarritz or Bayonne for a few days before departing from Paris), so now I wonder if when I do the CF should I start there to experience entering Spain from over the Pyrenees or just start somewhere else, lots of good options here, hmmmm

I had a terrible 2 days despite the sunshine. I was crying when I reached Roncesvalles as my legs hurt so bad and we had two of the worst arguments of our marriage in those 2 days and we almost never argue. Maybe for me more about circumstances, but I am not keen to repeat it.

 

[Bradypus]

so now I wonder if when I do the CF should I start there to experience entering Spain from over the Pyrenees or just start somewhere else, lots of good options here, hmmmm

My own preference would be to pick up where I left off. Continuity has its own value for me. And the routes from SJPDP to Roncesvalles are attractive walking in their own right. Though I do find some of the enthusiastic descriptions of the SJPDP to Roncesvalles paths a little exaggerated. There are plenty of walking routes in Spain and elsewhere which are easily the equivalent in scenic value. And many here in the UK too.

 

[Viajefacil]

It always makes me wonder.

People are always appearing on this forum struggling to get from Pamplona to SJPP. But it's never mentioned that there are multiple trains and buses each day that go to San Sebastian from Pamplona (or Madrid) where you can catch another bus to Bayonne and then a train on to SJPP

Even better, why not just recommend to people to take a train or plane direct to San Sebastian from Madrid, and skip Pamplona.

I guess it is more changes, but it solves the scheduling problems and possibly having to pay for a taxi or spend the night in Pamplona just to wait for a bus. And it runs all winter.

You may have to spend a few minutes sorting out all the complicated options it gives you on the google map directions below, but when I did it in 2024, I caught a direct bus to Bayonne from san Sebastian that took about an hour and then got on a train to SJPP. And it runs multiple times a day.

Donostia-San Sebastian to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

www.google.com

I find it easier to fly into Paris and take the TGV to Bayonne and then a local train to SJPP. Some of the TGV trains leave from CDG directly - what once was a 12 hour trip to Bayonne is now less than four hours.

 

[Getwood]

Anyway, my imagined audience for this idea is all those pilgrims who fly through Madrid and end up in Pamplona and are unhappy that they have to wait overnight or get a cab. And those who are on a tight schedule.

A simple itinerary change from Pamplona to San Sebastian might make it easier. And it makes it much easier to get to SJPP early enough to leave ( spend the night in San Sebastian or Bayonne). Or if you arrive early enough in the day in Madrid you could conceivably be in SJPP that night.

From Paris, it’s a totally different itinerary, perhaps better. But it seems unless you fly into Biarritz, many people have to overnight in Paris before getting the train.

Depends on the starting point and available flights. From where I live (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), it would be borderline crazy to try and get to Madrid or Pamplona and then onwards somehow to SJPdP; Paris is much easier (and WAY cheaper!), and the way the schedules work from here, there's no way to fly to Biarritz from CDG without overnighting in Paris. I just made arrangements for my next CF in Sept. '25, so I've spent a lot of time looking at the options from my departure point.

I'm not unhappy about taking a couple of days to get to SJPdP from western North America. For one thing, it helps me do at least a partial turnaround on my inevitable jet-lag. If I had the luxury of more time, I'd probably spend a week farting about before I even went to SJPdP.

Mebbe next time!

 

[Getwood]

My own preference would be to pick up where I left off. Continuity has its own value for me. And the routes from SJPDP to Roncesvalles are attractive walking in their own right. Though I do find some of the enthusiastic descriptions of the SJPDP to Roncesvalles paths a little exaggerated. There are plenty of walking routes in Spain and elsewhere which are easily the equivalent in scenic value. And many here in the UK too.

Heh.

Living as I do within easy driving distance of the Canadian Rockies, I too have found the enthusiasm about the Pyrenees-Atlantique to be a bit OTT. It's a nice area, but I'm doing (er, re-doing) that part of the CF 'cause I'm stubborn, not because the views will be just to die for. For folks from places like (say) southern England who haven't traveled much, it's a qualitatively different story, I'm sure.

I'm much more enamoured of the people, the history and the culture. I can't believe it took me this long to learn a little Spanish and see Spain. Duh.

 

[Gthiker]

In 2017 we took a flight from the USA to Biarritz with an interim stop in Europe and caught a shared van to SJPP. We were there in time for a late lunch.

 

[CWBuff]

From Paris, it’s a totally different itinerary, perhaps better. But it seems unless you fly into Biarritz, many people have to overnight in Paris before getting the train.

The overnight is possible, for those flying from the west coast of North America, many of the flights arrive early in the morning Paris time, which gives a decent selection of trains..

This basically reiterates the fact that "there are many choices" but some of us PREFER to overnight in Paris. As we all agree it is a matter of planning and IMHO adding an extra day or two in the beginning of our Camino won't break anyone's vacation days bank.
So I personally don't feel like rushing through the arrival morning in CdG to make it to SJPDP (and I most definitely am NOT starting walking immediately upon arrival).
I will leisurely get my checked in backpack, make my way into the city and to my albergue (preferably very close to Gare du Montparnasse) and then enjoy the rest of the day
I'll catch all the trains tomorrow morning
But that's just me.....

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Bear in mind that San Sebastián airport (EAS) is really far from the city centre (23km) it is actually in the town of Hondarribia

That’s a good piece of information. I only ever took a train to San Sebastian

take it on the arches.

I’m trying to figure out what that means?

And I would definitely agree with you about Pamplona. I think Starting in SJPP is more about the recent publicity that the CF has received. My favorite part of the CF is Pamplona to Burgos.

In the unlikely event that I ever choose to do the CF again I would start either in Pamplona or Leon.

 

[J Willhaus]

I think the main thing is to be flexible. I haven't traveled lately where there wasn't a strike, weather, cancelled flight, or late arriving transportation that has messed up some part of my trip. Be prepared financially and time wise in case Plan A requires a rethink.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

This basically reiterates the fact that "there are many choices" but some of us PREFER to overnight

I actually agree with you, despite my post. For my next Camino Mozarabe I plan to arrive 10 or 12 days before-hand to enjoy myself in the towns and beaches of Andalusia before I go…

Paris is a wonderful place but I prefer the chaos of the Mediterranean cities.

 

[wisepilgrim]

I’m trying to figure out what that means?

Start using your feet.

 

[markie6]

This basically reiterates the fact that "there are many choices" but some of us PREFER to overnight in Paris. As we all agree it is a matter of planning and IMHO adding an extra day or two in the beginning of our Camino won't break anyone's vacation days bank.
So I personally don't feel like rushing through the arrival morning in CdG to make it to SJPDP (and I most definitely am NOT starting walking immediately upon arrival).
I will leisurely get my checked in backpack, make my way into the city and to my albergue (preferably very close to Gare du Montparnasse) and then enjoy the rest of the day
I'll catch all the trains tomorrow morning
But that's just me.....

Not just you. I love the trip from my home in the UK to Paris, then wander about for a day or 2 then grab the train to St Jean

Now If I was short of time....

Nah I would still be travelling the way I want without worrying whether others thought I was bonkers

2 Trains to Paris , 2 to St Jean ( a nice town in its own right )

then start walking the morning after

 

[Elvis]

The overnight is possible, for those flying from the west coast of North America, many of the flights arrive early in the morning Paris time, which gives a decent selection of trains..This is the route I chose this year..I only mentioned it as an option in case people had not considered it.